Fastener for securing together two panels

ABSTRACT

A fastener comprises an adjustable insert that disposed in a receptacle having a first end facing a grommet and the insert is connected to the receptacle for movement relative to the receptacle. The insert has a central opening and diametrically opposed cam and locking surfaces open to said central opening. A bore in the insert is radially disposed relative to a longitudinal axis of the insert. An engagement member disposed within the bore is moveable therein laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the insert toward and against the receptacle to fix the insert against movement relative to the receptacle. The engagement member is moveable laterally relative to and toward the central opening of the insert to allow movement of the insert relative to the receptacle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to quick connect fasteners for holdingpanels together and, more particularly, to ¼ turn fasteners which can befastened and unfastened quickly and repeatedly.

As can be seen from Prior Art FIG. 1, fasteners 10 of the ¼ turn typehave been known which include a grommet 12, a stud 14 and a receptacle16. The fastener 10 holds together two panels 18 and 20, with adjacentsides of the panels in contact with one another, by extending throughopenings 22 and 24 formed in the panels to receive the fastener. Thegrommet 12 has a cylindrical body 26 sized to extend through the opening22 in one of the panels 18, usually an outer panel, and one end of thecylindrical body 26 has a radially outward extending flange 28 to engagethe outer surface of the outer panel 18. The stud 14 has a shaft 30, ahead 32, a cross pin 34 extending through the shaft at an end oppositeto the head, a cup member 36 slidable along the shaft and a spring onthe shaft between the head and cup member and received in the cupmember. The stud 14 is received in the grommet 12, with the head 32 ofthe stud being adjacent to the flange 28 on the grommet and a radiallyoutward extending flange 38 on the cup member 36 engaging a radiallyinward extending flange 40 at the end of the grommet 12 opposite to theradially outward extending flange 28. This arrangement keeps the head 32of the stud 14 biased by the spring slightly outward from the radiallyoutward extending flange 28 at the outer side of the outer panel 18. Thecross pin 34 on the stud 14 prevents the assembly of the grommet 12 andthe stud 14 from separating from the outer panel 18. Due to the presenceof the cross pin 34 and the stiffness of the spring, a tool is requiredto move the cup member 36 adjacent to the head 32 by compressing thespring and thereby providing sufficient distance between the cross pinand the cup member that the stud can be inserted, at an angle, into thegrommet. However, the geometry of this arrangement limits the axiallength of the grommets 12 which can be used. Specifically, when theaxial length of a grommet 12 reaches a certain magnitude, the stud 14cannot be inserted into the grommet even when the cup member 36 isadjacent to the head 32.

The receptacle 16 of the fastener 10 has a generally cylindrical body 42and a flange 44 projecting radially outward from one end of the body.The receptacle body 42 defines a central opening and has cam and lockingsurfaces 46 defined at an end opposite the radially outward extendingreceptacle flange 44. The receptacle flange 44 is placed against andsecured to a side of the other panel 20, usually an inner panel,opposite to the side contacting the first panel 18, with the receptaclebody 42 extending away from the side of the panel 20 to which the flangeis attached. The panels 18 and 20 are brought together so that the stud14 and the receptacle 16 are in alignment. The head 32 of the stud 14 isengaged by a turning tool, such as a screwdriver, pushed inwardlyagainst the bias of the spring, and turned ¼ turn with the cross pin 34of the 30 in engagement with the cam and locking surfaces 46 of thereceptacle 16. This action locks the fastener 10 in place with the twopanels 18 and 20 in secure engagement with one another.

A drawback of such a fastener is that, for a stud of any particularlength, the total thickness of the two panels for which the fastener iseffective must lie within a very limited range, typically a range of0.030 inches. If the total thickness lies outside the range, a longer orshorter stud 14 must be used. If the total thickness lies outside therange by more than a full width of the range, a stud 14 two sizes longerthan the first size must be used. Accordingly, for most work, a varietyof stud sizes must be purchased and kept on hand.

The outer diameter of the cylindrical body of the grommet is sized toengage the surface defining the opening through the outer panel, so thatlateral shifting of the outer panel with respect to the fastener isprevented. As the thickness of the outer panel increases, the length ofgrommet required increases. However, longer grommets have also requiredlonger studs to enable the cross pin of the stud to pass through thelonger grommets, at an angle.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,716,180 (the “'180 Patent”), and 5,795,122 (the “'122Patent), which are incorporated herein by reference, each disclosefasteners that are adjustable to accommodate varying thicknesses ofpanels or different lengths of studs. Both the '180 Patent and '122Patent disclose a fastener that includes an insert or “insert member”that is moveable relative to a receptacle mounted to one of the twoelements that are fastened together. The insert has diametricallyopposed cam and locking surfaces for receiving the above referenced studand cross-pin. In addition, the insert has external threads that aresized to engage internal threads for rotating the insert and moving itrelative to the receptacle thereby adjusting the distance between thegrommet and locking surfaces. This may be advantageous if thickness ofthe panels vary.

The fasteners in the '180 Patent and '122 Patent also include a lockingmechanism that fixes the insert against movement relative to thereceptacle. The '180 Patent discloses a compressible spring roll pininserted into a slot formed by a groove on the outer periphery of theinsert that is aligned with a groove on in internal surface of thereceptacle. A second embodiment disclosed in the '180 Patent refers tousing a resilient member such as a nylon strip that is disposed in thegrooves of the insert and receptacle. As disclosed the resilient membermay take the form of an elongated member inserted in a groove formed onthe external surface and threads of the barrel or insert member; or, theresilient member may take the form of a pellet inserted into a radialbore formed in the insert.

With respect to the '122 Patent, there is disclosed a locking clip on anexternal surface of the receptacle. The locking clip is generally shapedlike a “G” and made of a resilient material such as spring steel. Thelaterally disposed lip or locking member fits through a slot thereceptacle and into a groove on the insert locking the insert againstmovement relative to the receptacle. While both fasteners provideadvantages of an adjustable fastener, there are some disadvantages. Onesuch disadvantage, at least with respect to the compression spring andlocking pin, is that in order to access the locking mechanism for thesefasteners one of the panels must be removed. In some cases, several ormultiple fasteners may be in place and must be disengaged in order toremove the panel, which can be time consuming. Accordingly, a needexists for an adjustable fastener that has a locking mechanism that canbe accessed without the need of removing panels during installation ofthe same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

By the present invention, the drawbacks of the known fasteners have beenovercome, and a wide range of panel thicknesses can be accommodated by a¼ turn fastener in which each component is of a single size.

In order to accomplish this feature of the present invention, thereceptacle is adjustable. More particularly, the receptacle includes aninternally threaded body and an externally threaded insert, wherein thethreads of the body and the insert are in engagement with one another sothat rotation of the insert relative to the body moves the insertaxially with respect to the body. Cam and locking surfaces for the crosspin of the stud are defined in the insert. As a result, the position ofthe insert within the receptacle body can be adjusted so that a singlelength stud can be used, and yet total panel thickness can be variedover a wide range. Where total panel thickness is relatively thin, theinsert can be rotated so that the cam and locking surfaces arerelatively far from the receptacle side of the second panel. Where thetotal panel thickness is relatively thick, the insert can be turned toattain a position in which the cam and locking surfaces are relativelyclose to the two panels. In either case, the cross pin of a stud of justone length engages the cam and locking surfaces of the insert.

In an embodiment, in order to positively lock the insert with respect tothe cylindrical body of the receptacle, when the desired position of theinsert has been set, an engagement member is moveable in a radiallydisposed bore having an opening facing an inner surface or the internalthreads of the receptacle. A biasing mechanism biases the engagementmember toward and against the receptacle locking the insert in place.The receptacle may include two diametrically opposed semi-cylindricalgrooves the inner annular surface of the cylindrical body of thereceptacle for receiving the engagement member.

In an aspect of an embodiment of the invention, the above-referencedbiasing mechanism may include a pin disposed within a slot wherein thepin and slot having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the insert and receptacle. The slot has a first opening at theend of the insert facing the grommet and a second opening at theopposite end of the insert. A biasing mechanism is positioned at thesecond opening of the slot and biases the pin toward the grommet, andthe pin contacts the engagement member biasing it laterally toward andagainst the receptacle. In order to rotate the insert, a tool may beprovided that has a cross pin that is received by the cam and lockingsurfaces of the insert. In addition, the tool engages the end of the pinfacing the grommet moving the pin toward the second end of the insert.The pin has a section with a lesser diameter that allows the engagementmember to move laterally toward the central opening of the insert andoff the receptacle. In this manner the insert may be rotated and movedrelative to the receptacle.

In another aspect of an embodiment of the invention the pin is rotatablewithin the slot to move the pin and engagement in and out of lockingengagement with the receptacle body.

With respect to another embodiment of the invention, the fastener mayhold together first and second panels in spaced relation, wherein eachpanel has an aperture for receiving the fastener, a first side of eachpanel in facing each other, and a second side facing away from the otherside of said panels. The fastener comprises a grommet having an openingand a radially outward extending flange for engaging the second side ofsaid first panel. In addition, a first receptacle is mounted to thefirst side of the second panel and has a central opening facing thefirst side of the first panel and the central opening is aligned withthe aperture of the first panel. A collar mount is fixed within thefirst receptacle for receiving and for mounting therein a plurality ofsecond receptacles each second receptacle having a differentconfiguration than the other second receptacles, and each secondreceptacle having cam and locking surfaces for engaging cross pins of astud having been inserted through the grommet.

With respect to another aspect of the invention the first receptacle ismounted to a flange that includes two or more apertures that alignedwith apertures on the panel and bolts are inserted through the apertureson the flange and panel and secured with a nut. The fastener may includea cam washer having a first disc and a second disc wherein the firstdisc has a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the second disc,and the first and second disc are concentrically aligned. In addition, ahole extends through the first disc and second disc through which a boltis inserted. The hole in the washer has a first curved edge that isconcentrically aligned with the first and second discs and a secondcurved edge is not concentrically aligned and disposed toward aperiphery of the first and second discs. The second disc is seated in anaperture on the fastener flange and has a diameter that is smaller thanthe diameter of the aperture on the fastener flange so that when thebolt is positioned off the first edge of the hole toward or against thesecond edge of the hole the washer is rotatable to move the fastener onthe second panel and to align the central opening of the firstreceptacle with an aperture of the first panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross section of a prior art fastener holding two panelstogether;

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the fastener according to the presentinvention holding two panels together;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the receptacle of the fastener of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the receptacle of the fastener of FIG. 2taken along line 4-4;

FIG. 5 is an optional cage mount for mounting the receptacle of FIG. 6to a panel;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the receptacle;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a fastener incorporating the cage mount;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the insert of the fastener of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the insert in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the insert in FIG. 8 taken along line10-10;

FIG. 10A is a bottom perspective view of the insert with a torsionspring;

FIG. 10B is a side elevational view of the insert with the torsionspring;

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of a tool used with present invention forthe fastener;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the fastener of FIG. 2 with the toolbeing positioned for adjusting the position of the insert in thereceptacle;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the fastener of FIG. 2 with the toolengaging a locking mechanism of the fastener for adjusting the positionof the insert in the receptacle;

FIG. 13A is a side elevational of a second embodiment of the pin of thelocking mechanism.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the fastener of FIG. 2 with anotherembodiment of the pin of the locking mechanism;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the fastener of FIG. 2, with the pin ofFIG. 14 rotatable for operation of the locking mechanism;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the invention in which abacking nut is used to secure the receptacle to a panel;

FIG. 17 is a front view of an assembly of a grommet according to thepresent invention with a stud, with the grommet removed from the rightside of the drawing and a part associated with the stud shown in crosssection;

FIG. 18 is a cross section of an optional grommet according to thepresent invention taken along the line 18-18 in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of a prior art cowling fastener securingtogether two panels;

FIG. 20 is a top planar view of a collar mount and receptacle;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view of a synthetic rubber barrel mounted to aflange and a collar mount imbedded with the barrel;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of the collar mount and receptacle with anadjustable insert as components of a cowling fastener;

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of the collar mount and receptacle nothaving an adjustable insert;

FIG. 24A is a view the collar mount having a receptacle insertedtherein;

FIG. 24B is a view of the collar mount with the receptacle having beenrotated to a locking position in the collar mount;

FIG. 25A is top view of a prior art cam washer;

FIG. 25B is a side view of the prior art cam washer;

FIG. 26A is a top view of the inventive cam washer;

FIG. 26B is a side view of the inventive cam washer;

FIG. 27 is a side sectional view of a cowling fastener with the camwashers; and

FIG. 28A is a top view of the cam washers on a fastener flange with thebolts centered on the cam washers.

FIG. 28B is a top view of the fastener in FIG. 28A having been moved inpreparation to adjust the cam washers and position of the fasteners.

FIG. 28C is a top view of the fastener in 28B with the cam washershaving been rotated 90° for alignment of the fastener.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the adjustable fastener according to thepresent invention, which is designated generally by the referencenumeral 50, is of the ¼ turn type, having a grommet 52, a stud 54, and areceptacle 56. The fastener 50 holds together two panels 58 and 60, withadjacent sides of the panels in contact with one another, by extendingthrough openings 62 and 64 formed in the panels to receive the fastener50. The grommet 52 has a cylindrical body 66 sized to extend through theopening 62 in one of the panels 58, usually an outer panel, and one endof the cylindrical body 66 as a radially outward extending flange 68 toengage the outer surface of the outer panel 58. The other end of thecylindrical body 66 has a radially outwardly extending shoulder orflange to engage a retaining ring 69 for retaining the grommet 52 on theouter panel 58. The stud 54 has a shaft 70, a head 72, a cross pin 74extending through the shaft 70 at an end opposite to the head, a cupmember 76 slidable along the shaft and a spring on the shaft between thehead and cup member and received in the cup member. The stud 54 isreceived in the grommet 52 with the head 72 of the stud 54 beingadjacent to the flange 68 on the grommet and a radially outwardextending flange 78 on the cup member 76 engaging a radially inwardextending flange 79 at the end of the grommet 52 opposite to theradially outward extending flange 68. This arrangement keeps the head 72of the stud 54 biased by the spring (not shown) slightly outward fromthe radially outward extending flange 68 at the outer side of the outerpanel 58. The cross pin 74 on the stud 54 prevents the assembly of thegrommet 52 and the stud 54 from separating from the outer panel 18. Dueto the presence of the cross pin 74 and the stiffness of the spring, atool is required to move-the cup member 76 adjacent to the head 72 bycompressing the spring and hereby providing sufficient distance betweenthe cross pin and the cup member so that the stud 54 can be inserted, atan angle, into the grommet 52. However, the geometry of this arrangementlimits the axial length of the grommets 52 which can be used.Specifically, when the axial length of a grommet 52 reaches a certainaxial length, the stud 54 cannot be inserted into the grommet even whenthe cup member 76 is adjacent to the head 32.

The receptacle 56 of the fastener 50 has a generally cylindrical body 82and a flange 84 projecting radially outward from one end of the body.The receptacle body 82 defines a central opening and has cam and lockingsurfaces 86 defined at an end opposite the radially outward extendingreceptacle flange 84. The receptacle flange 84 is placed against andsecured to a side of the other panel 60, usually an inner panel,opposite to the side contacting the first panel 58, with the receptaclebody 82 extending away from the side of the panel 60 to which the flangeis attached. The panels 58 and 60 are brought together so that the stud54 and the receptacle 56 are in alignment. The head 72 of the stud 54 isengaged by a turning tool, such as a screwdriver, pushed inwardlyagainst the bias of the spring, and turned ¼ turn with the cross pin 74of the stud in engagement with the cam and locking surfaces 86 of thereceptacle 56. This action locks the fastener 50 in place with the twopanels 58 and 60 in secure engagement with one another.

With respect to FIGS. 3 and 4, the receptacle body 82 defines a centralopening 85 and has internal threads throughout its axial length. Thereceptacle flange 84 may be placed directly against and secured to aside of the other panel 60, usually an inner panel, opposite to the sidecontacting the first panel 58, with the receptacle body 82 extendingaway from the side of the panel 60 to which the flange 84 is attached.The flange 84 on the receptacle 56 includes apertures 87 through whichrivets 94 are secured, as shown in more detail in FIG. 2. As explainedin more detail below, internal threads 89 on the receptacle body allowfor movement of an adjustable insert positioned in the receptacle 56.

As can be appreciated from FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, in an embodiment the flange84 is attached by being retained in a cage 88 having an opening 90smaller than the outer perimeter of the flange 84 and having ears 92 forholding the receptacle 57. The cage 88 is mounted to the panel 60, suchas by rivets 94, and the ears 92 holding the receptacle provide someplay to move the for proper alignment with the grommet 52. During theassembly of the fastener 50, the cage 88 is a generally flat stampedpiece of metal including the ears 92, and the flange 84 is placedagainst a surface of the cage 88 with the central opening 85 of thereceptacle 57 aligned with opening 90 on the cage 88. The cage 88 isthen subject to a metal press to fold the ears 92 over and against theflange 84. This particular embodiment shown in FIG. 6, allows formovement of the receptacle 57 relative to the cage 88 and the panels 58and 60, so the receptacle 56 can be aligned with the grommet if theopenings 62 and 64 on panels are not effectively aligned. While there isan embodiment of the cage mount shown and described herein, variationsof the embodiment may be apparent to one skilled in the art.

In either of the above-described embodiments and in other embodimentsdisclosed herein, the receptacle 56 or 57 further includes a cylindricalinsert member 96 having external threads 98, the insert member 96 beingsized so that the threads 98 engage the internal threads 89 on the innersurface of the receptacle body 82 in normal threaded engagement. As canbe seen from FIGS. 2 and 7-10, the insert member 96 also has a centralopening 100 large enough to receive the shaft 70 of the stud 54.Diametrically opposed curved slots 102 each have an open end extendingthrough a first end 96A of the insert member 96 facing the grommet 52,and a closed end disposed toward a second end 96B of the insert member96. The curved slots 102 define the cam and locking surfaces 86, morespecifically, cam surfaces leading to apices beyond which the slots 102curve back toward the end 96A of the insert member 96 facing the grommet52 to define locking surfaces for the cross pin 74 of the stud 54. Thelength of the cross pin 74 is greater than the inner diameter of theinsert member 96 (or diameter of the central opening 100 of the member96) but less than the central opening 85 of the receptacle body 82.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 12 and 13 a locking mechanism 104 is provided toprevent rotation of the insert member 96 relative to the cylindricalbody 82 of the receptacle 56 after the insert 96 has been set in adesired position. The locking mechanism 104 includes two diametricallyopposed, parallel and semicircular grooves 106 and 108 (see, FIGS. 3 and6) formed along an inner surface of the receptacle body 82. The grooves106 and 108 are disposed parallel to a longitudinal axis of thereceptacle body 82. In addition, the locking mechanism 104 includes anengagement member 110, such as a ball bearing, that is positioned withina radially disposed boring 112 formed in the insert 96. The boring 112is orthogonally or radially disposed relative to the longitudinal axisof the receptacle body 82 and the insert 96, so the engagement member110 may move in and out of engagement with the receptacle body 82 at thegrooves 106 or 108. A biasing mechanism is provided to bias theengagement member 110 against the receptacle body 82. The biasingmechanism 114 includes a pin 116 positioned within a slot 118 formed ininsert 96, which is disposed parallel to a longitudinal axis of thereceptacle body 82 and the insert 96. The slot 118 is in communicationwith the boring 112 so the pin 116 may contact the engagement member110. As explained in more detail below a resilient member 128, which maybe characterized as a component of the biasing mechanism, biases the pin116 toward the grommet 52 and the pin 116 in turn biases the engagementmember 110 against the receptacle 56.

As shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, the slot 118 has a first opening 120 atthe first end 96A of the insert 96 facing the grommet 52 and a secondopening 122 at the second end 96B of the insert 96 facing away from thegrommet. The insert 96 includes a flange 124 that is spaced from thesecond end 96B of the insert 96 forming a groove 126. A resilient member128 such as an o-ring is positioned in the groove 126 biases the pin 116toward the grommet 52. As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the pin 116has at least two sections of differing diameters. In the embodimentdisclosed herein, the pin 116 has a barbell-like configuration includingtwo end sections 130 and 132 having the same diameter that is largerthan the diameter of a mid-section 134 of the pin 116. In a lockedposition, the resilient member 128 contacts the end section 130 of thepin 116 biasing the pin 116 toward the grommet 52 so the end section 130of the pin 116 contacts the engagement member 110 biasing it toward thereceptacle body 82. The boring 112 is aligned with the groove 106 or 108so that a portion of the engagement member 110 seats within a groove 106or 108 locking the insert 96 in a fixed position relative to thereceptacle body 82.

With respect to FIG. 13A there is illustrated a second embodiment of theabove described pin that is the component of the locking mechanism. Thepin 117 shown in FIGS. 2, 12 and 13 includes the end sections 150 andthe midsection 134 wherein the midsection has a diameter that is smallerthan a diameter of the end sections 150 forming a notch or recess 135for receiving the ball 110. An end 150 of the pin 117 disposed towardthe biasing mechanism and includes a section 137 that has a diameterthat is larger than the diameter of the pin 117 at the midsection 134and smaller than the diameter the end section 150 forming the shoulder137. The shoulder 137 engages the ball 110 when the resilient member 128biases the pin toward the grommet 52 and first panel 58, thereby biasingthe ball 110 toward the receptacle body 82.

An alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B and includes atorsion spring 129 instead of an o-ring as the resilient member. In thisembodiment, a section of the flange 124 adjacent the slot 118 has beenremoved in order to seat the torsion spring in the groove 126, so thespring 129 may provide the biasing action at the slot 118 and againstthe pin 116 or 117. In this manner, the pin 116 or 117 moveslongitudinally so the engagement member 110 moves in the bore 112 in andout of engagement with the receptacle body 82.

Again with respect to FIGS. 12 and 13, as well as FIG. 10, in order torotate the insert 96 and move it relative to the receptacle 56 andreceptacle body 82 the pin 116 is biased toward the second end 96B ofthe insert 96. In this manner, the mid-section 134 of the pin 116 havingthe smaller diameter is positioned adjacent to the engagement member 110providing space within the boring for receiving the engagement member110. Thus, when the insert 96 is rotated the engagement member 110retracts into the boring 112 enabling one to adjust the position of theinsert 96 relative to the receptacle body 82 and grommet 52.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the opening 120 of the slot 118 facinggrommet is in communication with the central opening 100 of the insert96 so that the end section 132 of the pin 116 is exposed and can beengaged to bias the pin 116 toward the second end of the insert 96. Inan embodiment, shown in FIGS. 8-10, the central opening 100 includes abore 100A and a counter-bore 100B that has a diameter larger than thefirst bore 100A providing a shoulder 140. At least a portion of thefirst opening of the slot 118 extends along the shoulder 140 therebyexposing some portion end section 132 of the 116. A tool 142 illustratedin FIG. 11, may be provided to adjust the position insert 96 relative tothe grommet 52 and receptacle 56. The tool 142, similar to the stud 54of the grommet 52, includes cross pins 144. The length of the cross pin114 is greater than the inner diameter of the insert member 96 (ordiameter of the central opening 100 of the member 96) but less than thecentral opening 85 of the receptacle body 82 and less than the innerdiameter of the grommet flange 79. The cross pins 144 of tool 142 areinsertable within the curved slots 102 in order to engage the cam andlocking surfaces 86.

As shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13, the tool 142 includes a taperedshoulder 146 that includes a first diameter D1 that is less than thediameter of the bore 100A of the insert member 96. The shoulder 140tapers from the first diameter D1 to a larger diameter D2, which isspaced a sufficient distance from the cross pin 144 to enable the crosspin 144 to be inserted into slots 102. However, the cross pin 144 doesnot reach the closed ends of the slots 102, but instead engages surfacesof the upper end of the slots 102 so the tool 142 can rotate the insert96 in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. In this manner,when the tool 142 is inserted through the panel 58 (not having beenremoved) and grommet 52 and into the receptacle 56 or 57 and insertmember 96, the shoulder 145 contacts the end section 132 of the pin 116pushing the pin 116 toward the second end 96B of the insert member 96.As described above, when the pin 116 is biased toward the second end 96Bof the insert member 96, the engagement member 110 will move away fromthe receptacle body 82 toward the pin, thereby enabling one to rotatethe insert member 96 in the receptacle 56 or 57 and adjust the positionof the insert member 96 relative to grommet 52. In as much as thelocking mechanism 110 is accessible at the central openings 100 and 85of the receptacle 56 or 57 and insert member 96, the panels 58 and 60 donot have to be removed to move the insert 96 relative to the grommet 54and receptacle 56 or 57. It is also noted that the cup 36 on the grommet52, as shown in FIG. 2, has a diameter larger than the diameter of thecounter-bore 100B, so the cup 36 will not depress the pin 116 wheninstalled, so the insert 96 is not inadvertently unlocked from a fixedposition relative to the receptacle.

In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the pin 146 does not includethe above-described “barbell” configuration; however, the pin 146 doesinclude a recess 148 for receiving the engagement member 110 forunlocking the insert 96. As shown, the pin 146, includes at least twosections having differing diameters, including two end sections 150having a diameter D1 that is greater than the diameter D2 of the recess148. As shown, the locking mechanism 104 may be configured so the pinmay be rotated in the slot 118 to move the recess 148 in and out ofcommunication with the engagement member 110 and boring 112. As shown inFIG. 14, the pin 146 is oriented in the slot 118 so the recess 148 isnot facing the boring 112. Accordingly, the pin 146 biases theengagement member toward and against the receptacle 56 at the groove 106or 108, thereby locking the insert 96 in a fixed position relative tothe receptacle 56.

In order to unlock the insert 96, the pin is simply rotated in the slot118 in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, as shown inFIG. 15, so the recess 148, or a portion of the recess 148, faces theboring 112. In this manner, the engagement member 110 may move towardthe pin 146 disengaging from the receptacle and unlocking the insert 96to move the insert 96 relative to the receptacle 56. To preventlongitudinal movement of the pin 146 in the slot 118, a groove (notshown) may be machined around the pin 146 at the notch or recess 148,the engagement member may partially seat in the groove duringadjustment. Similar to the above-described locking mechanism 104,including the pin 116, the slot 118 and pin 146 of this embodiment pin146 disposed adjacent the central opening 100 of the insert 96 so onemay adjust the insert without removing panels 58 or 60. An end 146A ofthe pin 146 may be adapted to receive a tool in order to rotate the pin146.

With respect to FIG. 16 an embodiment of the fastener 50 is shown inwhich the receptacle is secured to the panel 60 with a backing nut 151.The receptacle 56 (or receptacle 57) includes external threads 152 thatare configured for threaded engagement with threads on the backing nut151. The fastener 50 may include the adjustable insert 96 and lockingmechanism 104 in either of above-described embodiments.

Fasteners employing the adjustable receptacle according to the presentinvention can be used with conventional grommets, as shown in FIGS. 2,7, 12, 13, 14 and 15 or with grommets according to another aspect of thepresent invention. As can best be seen from FIGS. 17 and 18, the grommet52 according to the present invention, which is designated generally bythe reference numeral 131, has a generally cylindrical body 133, alarger flange 124 extending radially outward from a first body portion125 at one end of the body 133, a smaller flange 126 directed radiallyoutwardly from a second body portion 127 at the opposite end of thebody, a smaller bore 128, and a counterbore 130 defining with thesmaller bore a shoulder 132 facing the end of the body 125 having thelarger flange 124. Diametrically opposed slots 134 are formed in thecylindrical body 133, extending from a closed end in the second bodyportion 127 adjacent to the shoulder 132 to an open end extendingthrough the end of the grommet 131 distal to the larger flange 124. Eachslot 134 has a width greater than the diameter of the cross pin 74 ofthe stud 54. As was described earlier, a spring 136 is positioned on theshaft 70 of the stud 54 and is visible in FIG. 17, where it is shown inits relaxed, or expanded, condition. The spring 136 is received in thecup member 76 and, thus, the spring 136 biases the cup member away fromthe head 72 of the stud 54. The cup member 76 engages the shoulder 132defined between the smaller bore 128 and the counterbore 130 of thegrommet 120. A slot 138 or other formation is defined in the head 72 ofthe stud 54 to receive a tool, such as a screw driver, for turning thehead to engage or disengage the fastener.

A pliers must be used to insert the stud 54 into the grommet 131, andthis is accomplished by forcing the cup 76 toward the head 72 of thestud against the bias of the spring 136 with the pliers, while holdingthe shaft 70 of the stud at an angle to the longitudinal axis of thegrommet and inserting the stud into the bores 130 and 128 of thegrommet. When the pliers is released, the grommet 131 is captured by thestud 54, since the length of the cross pin 74 of the stud is greaterthan the inner diameter of at least the smaller bore 128 of the grommet.Without moving the cup 76 toward the head 72 of the stud 54, the studcannot be inserted in the grommet, even at an angle, because there isnot enough distance between the cup 76 and the cross pin 74. It can beappreciated that, for a stud of a particular length, the stud cannot beinserted into a grommet even with the cup moved as close as possible tothe head of the stud if the grommet exceeds a certain axial length.However, with the grommet 131 according to the present invention, thestud 54 need be inserted only until the cross pin 74 reaches the closedends of the slots 134. Although the length of the cross pin 74 isgreater than the inner diameter of at least the smaller bore 128 of thegrommet body 133, the cross pin can be accommodated in the slots 134.With the slot structure, the axial length of the grommet 131 can beincreased, and the stud 54 still inserted, while the distance from theclosed end of the slot 134 to the end of the body 133 of the grommet 131having the larger flange 124 is kept constant. The grommet according tothe present invention can be used with the receptacle according to thepresent invention, and can also be used with conventional receptaclesand conventional ¼ turn fasteners.

With respect to FIG. 19, there is shown cowling fastener 160 of theprior art including the above-described grommet 12 and stud 14 togetherwith a receptacle 16 for securing together panels 18 and 20. As shown,the cowling fastener 160 includes the grommet 12 seated in an opening 22of the panel 18. The receptacle 16 includes a flange 44 embedded withina synthetic rubber barrel 21 which is in turn mounted to panel 20. Thereceptacle 16 is imbedded in the barrel 21 adjacent to panel 18 with thereceptacle body 44 facing away from the panel 18 toward panel 20. Thestud 14 is inserted through the grommet 12 and into receptacle 16 wherethe cross-pins 34 engage the cam and locking surfaces 46 securing thepanels 18 and 20 together. Such a panel fastener is used in instanceswhen panel may be spaced apart from another and require some level ofmovement relative to one another. However, in as much as the receptacle16 is embedded within the barrel 21, the cowling fastener 160 is limitedby the fact it is not adaptable to receive studs of varyingconfigurations.

As shown in FIGS. 20, 21, 22 and 23 the cowling fastener 170 of thepresent invention is configured to interchangeably receive differentreceptacles to accommodate different grommets or studs to secure panelstogether. As shown in FIG. 22, the cowling fastener 170 may be used tosecure together two panels 176 and 178. A grommet 52 is positioned in anopening in the first panel 176. A stud 154, having a cross pin 74, isinserted through the grommet 52 and positioned in locking engagementwith the cowling fastener 170 securing the first panel 176 in spacedrelation to the second panel 178. The fastener 170 includes a firstreceptacle 172 that may take the form of a synthetic rubber barrelmounted to a flange 174 and the barrel 172 includes a cylindrical body186 including a central opening 188. A first end 172A of the barrel 172abuts the first panel 176 and a second end 172B of the barrel 172 isaffixed to the flange 174, which in turn is affixed to the second panel178 by rivets or bolts 190.

A receptacle 192 is positioned within the barrel 172 and also includes acylindrical body 194 having a central boring 196 that is coaxiallyaligned with the central opening 188 of the barrel 172. In anembodiment, the receptacle 192 may include the above described insertmember 96 that has external threads 98 in threaded engagement withinternal threads on the receptacle 192. The insert member 96 includesthe cam and locking surfaces 86 for engaging and locking in place thestud 54. In addition, the insert 96 may include the above-describedlocking mechanism 104 (not shown in FIG. 22) to fix the insert 96against movement relative to the receptacle 192. The locking mechanism104 may be disengaged as described above for adjusting the position andmoving the insert 96 relative to the receptacle 192.

As shown in FIGS. 20, 21, 22 and 23 the cowling fastener 170 includes acollar mount 200 imbedded in the barrel of the first receptacle 172 forreceiving the receptacle 192. The collar mount 200 includes a flange 202surrounding a recess or depression 204. The flange 202 of the collarmount 200 is imbedded in the barrel 172 toward the first end 172A of thebarrel 172 with the depression 204 coaxially aligned with the centralopening 188 of the barrel 172. The receptacle 192 includes a flange 206that geometrically matches the depression 204 on the collar mount 200.The flange 206 on the receptacle 192 has a diameter that is smaller thanthe diameter of the central opening 188 of the barrel 172, so thereceptacle 192 can be inserted into the barrel 172 with the flange 206on the receptacle 192 facing the collar mount 200. The depression 204 onthe collar mount 202 and flange 206 on the receptacle 200 aredimensioned so that the receptacle 192 is locked or crimped in fixedposition relative to the barrel 172. With a receptacle 192 having beenlocked into position, the first panel 176 may be secured to the secondpanel 178 using the grommet 52 and stud 54. In such an embodiment, a kitmay be provided that includes multiple receptacles.

While the above-described cowling fastener 170 of FIG. 22 includes theadjustable insert 96 with a locking mechanism 104, embodiments of theinvention may include other types of adjustable inserts or receptaclesdo not require an adjustable insert. As shown in FIG. 23, the receptacle300 is similar is some respect to prior art receptacles that do notinclude an adjustable insert. As shown, the receptacle 300 includes aflange 302 that is positioned relative to the collar mount 200 forlocking the receptacle 300 in place relative to the collar mount 200 andbarrel 172. As shown the receptacle 300 includes the cam and lockingsurface 46 of the prior art receptacles for securing the stud 14 in thereceptacle 300 and grommet 12.

The attachment of the receptacle 192 is now described in more detail inreference to FIGS. 20, 22, 24A and 24B. As shown in an embodiment thecollar mount 200 a recess is formed below a surface 212 of the collarmount 200. The recess extends circumferentially within the depressionforming a lip 214 below the surface 212 of the collar mount 200 andwithin which the flange 206 of the receptacle 192 is seated for lockingthe receptacle 192 to the collar mount 200. As illustrated, the openingto the depression 204 includes straight edges 216 space apart betweenarched or curved edges 218. As described above, the flange 206 on thereceptacle 192 is geometrically configured to fit within the depression204. More specifically, the flange 206 on the receptacle 192 alsoincludes straight edges 220 spaced apart between arched edges 222. Inorder to lock the receptacle 192 to the collar mount 200, the straightedges 216 on the flange 206 of receptacle 192 are aligned with thestraight edges 216 of the collar mount 200 so the flange 206 ofreceptacle fits in the depression 204. The receptacle 192 is thenrotated so that the arched edges 222 on the receptacle flange 206 seatedin the lip 214 at the straight edges 216 of the collar mount 200. Apress may then be used to compress the straight edges 216 of the collarmount 200 against the receptacle flange 206, thereby locking thereceptacle to the collar mount 200. In an embodiment, the collar mount200 includes an aperture or notch 250 along one of the straight edges216 on the collar mount 200. In addition, the receptacle flange 206includes an aperture or notch 252 on one of the curved edges 222 on thereceptacle 192. Once the receptacle flange 206 is inserted in the collarmount depression 204, the respective apertures or notches 250 and 252are aligned with one another.

In this manner, a metal pressing tool (not shown) having a pin is usedto compress the collar mount straight edges 216 against the curved edges222 of the receptacle flange 206. The pin on the tool is insertedthrough the aligned apertures 250 and 252 to ensure the edges 222 of thereceptacle flange 206 are properly aligned with the straight edges 216on the collar mount 200 before compressing the collar mount edges 216against the receptacle flange curved edges 222.

In another aspect of the invention, the components such as the camwashers may be used to properly align a cowling fastener relative to oneor more panels to secure the panels together. A prior art cam washer 400is shown in FIGS. 25A and 25B and includes a first disc 402 and seconddisc integrally machined as a single component. The first disc 402 has adiameter that is larger than the diameter of the second disc 404;however, both discs 402 and 404 are concentrically aligned. A hole 406is provided for receiving a bolt, and the hole 406 is offset relative toa center of the first disc 402 and second disc 404.

These prior art cam washers 400 have been used with cowling fasteners ofthe prior art shown in FIG. 19, which include flanges to which thebarrel 172 is attached. The flange includes holes that are aligned withholes on a panel. The cam washers 400 (not shown in FIG. 19) areprovided with the second disc 404 being inserted in the hole on theflange of the fastener and hole 406 on the cam washer is aligned with acorresponding hole in the panel. A bolt is then inserted through the camwasher 400 and the hole on the panel. A nut and appropriate tools areused to secure the fastener to the panel. In the event, a second panelis placed against the fastener and the fastener is not aligned with agrommet hole on the second panel, the cam washers 400 can be rotated toalign the fastener with the grommet hole of the other panel. As shown inFIG. 25A, the prior art cam washers include a small recess 408 disposedalong a periphery of the first disc 402, and an appropriate tool isinserted in the recess 408 to rotate the cam washers 400. In as much isthe bolt is offset the relative to a center of the cam washer 400, andthe flange hole is slightly larger in diameter than the second disc 404,the rotation of the cam washer 400 causes the fastener to move in orderto align the fastener with the grommet hole of the another panel. Oncethe fastener is so aligned, the bolt is tightened further to secure thefastener in place.

With respect to an embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 26A and26B, the cam washer 500 is machined having two discs 502 and 504integrally forming a unitary component. The first disc 502 has adiameter that is larger than the second disc 504, and both discs 502 and504 are concentrically aligned with one another. As illustrated, the camwasher 500 includes an elongated or oval-shaped hole 506 that allows formovement of the cam washer 500 for aligning the fastener. The hole 506includes a first curved edge 508 that aligns a bolt with the center ofthe cam washer 500. The hole 506 also includes a second curved edge 510that at which a bolt may be positioned so the cam washer 500 may berotated to move the fastener for alignment with a grommet hole of apanel. In such an embodiment, a bolt can be moved off the first edge 508toward the second non-concentric edge 510 so the washer 500 cam providea cam force against the flange in order to move the fastener inposition. A bolt may be positioned at various points between the firstedge 506 and second edge 510 to provide different levels of movement ofthe fastener, with the greatest level of movement being at the pointwhen the bolt is positioned against the second edge 510 of the hole 506.As shown the cam washer includes a peripheral recess 512 for engagementwith an appropriate tool to rotate the cam washer 500 and adjust theposition of the cam washer 500.

In reference, to FIGS. 27, 28A, 28B and 28C, there is shown a sectionalside view of a cowling fastener with cam washers 500 and top views of afastener flange with the cam washers respectively. As shown the cowlingfastener 520 includes a first receptacle 540 such as a rubber barrelmounted to a flange 524. The rubber barrel 540 includes a centralopening 544 for alignment with a grommet hole of a second panel (notshown) to be secured to the fastener 520 and panel 522. A secondreceptacle 542 is mounted within the barrel 540 for receiving a stud(not shown) inserted through a grommet on a second panel as describedabove. The receptacle may include the above describe prior artreceptacles, or receptacles having an adjustable insert according to thepresent invention or the collar mount and receptacle described above.

The cowling fastener 520 may also include a flange 524 having holes 526in which the cam washers 500 are seated. The flange holes 526 arealigned with holes 528 in the panel 522. A bolt 530 is inserted throughthe cam washer hole 506, flange hole 526 and panel hole 528. The bolt530 may preferably be inserted through the cam washer hole 506 with thebolt 530 against the first edge 508 of the hole 506, so the bolt 530 iscentered relative to the cam washer 500. In this manner, when thegrommet hole for the second panel is positioned over the panel 522 andthe grommet hole is properly aligned with the central opening 544 of thebarrel 540 and the receptacle 542, no further alignment is necessary andthe cowling fastener may be secured to panel 522 for installation of thesecond panel. As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28A, the bolts 530 are alignedwith the concentric edges 508 of the holes 506. Accordingly, thenon-concentric edges 510 of the holes 506 are shown. As shown in FIG.28A, the center of the barrel 540 and receptacle 542 are aligned at anintersection of X-Y axis to represent the center of the fastenerincluding the center of the barrel 172 and receptacle 192.

However, in some instances the grommet hole of the second panel may notbe aligned with the central opening 544 of the barrel 540 in which casethe fastener will need to be re-positioned. Accordingly, the bolt 530may be moved toward or to the concentric edge 510 of the cam washer hole506 depending on the amount of repositioning of the fastener 520required. As shown in FIG. 28B, the fastener 520 has been moved to theleft relative to the X axis, so the bolts 530 are positioned at thenon-concentric edges 510 of the holes 506. When the bolts 530 arerepositioned in the hole 506, the bolt 530 is partially secured in placeby a nut 546. With respect to FIG. 28C, the cam washers 500 have eachbeen rotated 90° using an appropriate tool that engages the cam washers500 at the recesses 512. As noted above, the second disc 504 of the camwasher 500 has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of theflange hole 526. Thus when, when the cam washers 500 are rotated, thesecond disc 504 provides a cam force against the flange 524, causing thefastener 520 and the barrel 540 to move on the panel 522. As shown inFIG. 28C, the cam washers 500 have been rotated 90° so the center of thebarrel 540 and receptacle 542 are aligned with the X axis, but below theY-axis. Once a proper alignment is determined the bolt 530 is tightenedto secure the fastener 520 in position on the panel 522. Accordingly,the cam washers 500 with the oval shaped hole 506 having the first edge508 concentrically aligned relative to the discs 502 and 504 provides aninitial locator for the bolt 530 in the event the grommet hole andfastener are properly aligned, and no adjustment is necessary. Inaddition, if the fastener 520 position must be adjusted, the bolt 530can be moved toward the non-concentric edge 510 to adjust the positionof the fastener.

Having thus described the present invention and its preferredembodiments in detail, it will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art that further modifications to the invention may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as presentlyclaimed.

1. A fastener for holding together first and second panels, wherein eachpanel has an aperture for receiving the fastener, a first side of eachpanel in engagement with the other of said panels, and a second sidefacing away from the other side of said panels, comprising: a grommethaving an opening and a radially outward extending flange for engagingthe second side of said first panel; a stud having opposite ends, a headat one of said ends, and a cross pin adjacent to the other of said ends,said stud being received in the opening of the grommet; a receptacle tobe secured to the second side of the second panel adjacent to theaperture on the second panel and having a cylindrical body extendingaway from the grommet and first panel; an insert disposed within thereceptacle having a first end facing the grommet and the insert isconnected to the receptacle for movement relative to the receptacle, andthe insert having a central opening and diametrically opposed cam andlocking surfaces open to said central opening, wherein the stud extendsinto said central opening, and said cross pin being engageable with saidcam and locking surfaces, and said cam and locking surfaces are definedin curved slots in the insert, each said slot having an open endextending through the first end of the insert facing the grommet; a borein the insert radially disposed relative to a longitudinal axis of theinsert and the bore having an opening at the outer periphery of theinsert facing the receptacle; and, an engagement member disposed withinthe bore and moveable therein laterally relative to the longitudinalaxis of the insert toward and against the receptacle to fix the insertagainst movement relative to the receptacle, and the engagement memberis moveable laterally relative to and toward the central opening of theinsert to allow movement of the insert relative to the receptacle. 2.The fastener of claim 1, further comprising: a slot in the insert havinga first opening at the first end of the insert facing the grommet and asecond opening at a second end of the insert facing away from thegrommet and the slot further having a longitudinal axis parallel to alongitudinal axis of the insert; a pin positioned within the slot andhaving a surface for contacting the engagement member and a notch; and,wherein the pin is moveable to a position within the slot so the surfacecontacting and biasing the engagement member against the receptacle tofix the insert against movement relative to the receptacle and the pinis moveable to a position in which the notch is adjacent the engagementmember allowing the engagement member to move laterally toward thecentral opening of the insert so the insert is moveable relative to thereceptacle.
 3. The fastener of claim 2, wherein the resilient member isan o-ring positioned at the second end of the insert and is biasingengagement with the pin.
 4. The fastener of claim 2, wherein theresilient member is a torsion spring positioned at the second end of theinsert and is biasing engagement with the pin.
 5. The fastener of claim2, wherein the insert includes a flange fixed thereto in spaced relationto the second end of the insert forming a groove between the flange andsecond end of the insert, and the resilient member is seated in thegroove.
 6. The fastener of claim 5, wherein the resilient member is ano-ring seated in the groove.
 7. The fastener of claim 5, wherein theresilient member is a torsion spring seated in the groove.
 8. Thefastener of claim 2, wherein the pin is moveable in the slot relative tothe insert in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slotand the insert, and the fastener further comprising: a resilient memberat the second end of the insert facing away from the grommet for biasingthe pin toward the grommet and placing the pin in contact with theengagement member and forcing the engagement member against thecylindrical body of the receptacle for securing the insert from movementrelative to the receptacle; and, wherein the pin is moveable toward thebiasing mechanism so the engagement member is disengaged from thecylindrical body of the receptacle to move the insert relative to thereceptacle.
 9. The fastener of claim 8, wherein the pin includes a firstsection and a second section and the first section has a diameter thatis larger than the second section wherein the notch is at the secondsection and the first section contacts the engagement member moving theengagement member laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the pinand against the receptacle when the biasing mechanism biases the pintoward the first end of the insert to secure the insert against movementof the insert relative to the receptacle, and the engagement membermoves toward the pin when the pin is biased toward the second end of theinsert wherein the smaller diameter of the second section of the pinenables the engagement member to move toward the pin to move the insertrelative to the receptacle.
 10. The fastener of claim 2, wherein thefirst opening of the slot in which the pin is positioned is incommunication with the central opening of the insert.
 11. The fastenerof claim 8, wherein the insert includes a flange affixed to and spacedfrom the second end of the insert and a groove is disposed between theflange and second end of the insert in which the biasing mechanism isseated.
 12. The fastener of claim 2, wherein the pin is rotatable in theslot to between the position at which the surface of the pin contactsthe engagement member biasing the engagement member against thereceptacle and the position at which the notch in the pin allows theengagement member to disengage from the receptacle.
 13. The fastener ofclaim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises two diametrically opposedgrooves on an internal surface therefore for receiving the engagementmember and securing the insert from movement relative to the receptacle.14. The fastener of claim 1, wherein cylindrical body of the receptaclecomprises internal threads, and the outer periphery of the insertdefines external threads, said internal threads and said externalthreads being in threaded engagement with one another so that the insertcan move relative to the receptacle.
 15. The fastener of claim 1,wherein the insert is positioned in the cylindrical body of saidreceptacle, and said cross pin has a length greater than the diameter ofthe central opening of said insert and less than a diameter of thecylindrical body of said receptacle.
 16. A receptacle for a fastener forholding together first and second panels, wherein each panel has anaperture for receiving the fastener, a first side in engagement with theother of said panels, and a second side facing away from the other ofsaid panels, the fastener includes a grommet having an opening and aradially outward extending flange for engaging the second side of saidfirst panel, and the fastener further includes a stud having oppositeends, a head at one of the ends, and a cross pin adjacent to the otherof the ends, the stud being received in the opening of the grommet, thereceptacle comprising: a cylindrical body secured to second side of thesecond panel and the cylindrical body having a central boring; an insertpositioned in the central boring of the cylindrical body defining an endfacing the grommet and means for receiving the cross pin of the stud,and the insert is connected to the receptacle for movement relative tothe cylindrical body; a bore in the insert is orthogonally disposedrelative to a longitudinal axis of the insert and the bore having anopening at the outer periphery of the insert facing the receptacle; and,an engagement member disposed within the slot of the insert and moveabletherein laterally relative to a longitudinal axis of the insert towardand against the receptacle to fix the insert against movement relativeto the receptacle, and the engagement member is moveable laterallyrelative to and toward the longitudinal axis of the insert to allowmovement of the insert relative to the receptacle.
 17. The fastener ofclaim 16, further comprising: a slot in the insert having a firstopening at the first end of the insert facing the grommet and a secondopening at a second end of the insert facing away from the grommet andthe insert further having a longitudinal axis parallel to a longitudinalaxis of the insert; a pin positioned within the slot and having asurface for contacting the engagement member and a notch; and, whereinthe pin is moveable to a position within the slot so the surfacecontacting and biasing the engagement member against the receptacle tofix the insert against movement relative to the receptacle and the pinis moveable to a position in which the notch is adjacent the engagementmember allowing the engagement member to move laterally toward thecentral opening of the insert so the insert is moveable relative to thereceptacle.
 18. The fastener of claim 17, wherein the pin is moveable ina direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slot and theinsert, and the fastener further comprising: a biasing mechanism at thesecond end of the insert facing away from the grommet for biasing thepin toward the grommet and placing a surface of the pin in contact withthe engagement member and forcing the engagement member against thecylindrical body of the receptacle for securing the insert from movementrelative to the receptacle; and, wherein the pin is moveable toward thebiasing mechanism so the notch receives the engagement member whichdisengages from the cylindrical body of the receptacle to move theinsert relative to the receptacle.
 19. The fastener of claim 18, whereinthe pin includes a first section and a second section and the firstsection has a diameter that is larger than the second section whereinthe notch is at the second section and the first section contacts theengagement member moving the engagement member laterally relative to thelongitudinal axis of the pin and against the receptacle when the biasingmechanism biases the pin toward the first end of the insert to securethe insert against movement of the insert relative to the receptacle,and the engagement member moves laterally relative to the longitudinalaxis of the pin and toward the pin when the pin is biased toward thesecond end of the insert wherein the smaller diameter of the secondsection of the pin enables the engagement member to move toward the pinto move the insert relative to the receptacle.
 20. The fastener of claim17, wherein the first opening of the slot in which the pin is positionedis in communication with the central opening of the insert.
 21. Thefastener of claim 20, wherein the insert includes a flange affixed toand spaced from the second end of the insert and a groove is disposedbetween the flange and second end of the insert in which the biasingmechanism is seated.
 22. The fastener of claim 17, wherein the pin isrotatable in the slot between a position at which a surface of the pinbiases the engagement member against the receptacle locking the insertagainst movement relative to the receptacle and a position at which thenotch allows the engagement member to move laterally and disengages fromthe receptacle allowing movement of the insert relative to thereceptacle.
 23. The fastener of claim 16, wherein the receptaclecomprises two diametrically opposed grooves on an internal surfacetherefore for receiving the engagement member and securing the insertfrom movement relative to the receptacle.
 24. The fastener of claim 16,wherein the cylindrical body of the receptacle defines a cylindricalbore having internal threads, and the outer periphery of the insertdefines external threads, said internal threads and said externalthreads being in threaded engagement with one another so that the insertcan be moved relative to the receptacle.
 25. The fastener of claim 16,wherein said cylindrical body of said receptacle defines a bore, saidinsert is positioned in said bore of said receptacle, and said cross pinhas a length greater than the central opening of said insert and lessthan the bore of said cylindrical body.
 26. A fastener for holdingtogether first and second panels in spaced relation, wherein each panelhas an aperture for receiving the fastener, a first side of each panelin facing each other, and a second side facing away from the other sideof said panels, comprising: a grommet having an opening and a radiallyoutward extending flange for engaging the second side of said firstpanel; a first receptacle mounted to the first side of the second paneland having a central opening facing the first side of the first paneland aligned with the aperture of the first panel; a collar mount fixedwithin the first receptacle for receiving and for mounting therein aplurality of second receptacles each second receptacle having adifferent configuration than the other second receptacles, and eachsecond receptacle having cam and locking surfaces for engaging crosspins of a stud having been inserted through the grommet.
 27. Thefastener of claim 26, wherein the first receptacle is composed of asynthetic rubber material and the collar mount includes a flangeimbedded within the synthetic rubber material, and the collar mountfurther comprises a depression concentrically aligned with the centralopening of the first receptacle, and each second receptacle having aflange to be positioned within the collar mount depression and lockedtherein.
 28. The fastener of claim 26, wherein the depression having anopening including at least two diametrically opposed straight edgesforming a lip under each straight edge and the periphery of the edgehaving generally curved edges between the straight edges and the flangefor each second receptacle has at least two diametrically opposedstraight edges and generally curved edges there between wherein when theflange of a second receptacle is inserted into the depression of thestraight edges on the receptacle flange are aligned with the straightedges of the depression and the second receptacle is rotated so agenerally curved edge on the receptacle flange is seated in each lipunder a respective straight edge at the depression, which is thencompressed against the receptacle flange to lock the second receptacleto the collar mount.
 29. The fastener of claim 26, wherein the firstreceptacle is mounted to a flange that includes two or more aperturesthat aligned with apertures on the panel and bolts are inserted throughthe apertures on the flange and panel and secured with a nut, thefastener further comprising: a washer having a first disc and a seconddisc wherein the first disc has a diameter that is larger than adiameter of the second disc, and the first and second disc areconcentrically aligned, and a hole extends through the first disc andsecond disc through which the bolt is inserted; wherein the hole in thewasher has a first curved edge that is concentrically aligned with thefirst and second discs and a second curved edge is not concentricallyaligned and disposed toward a periphery of the first and second discs;and, wherein the second disc is seated in the aperture on the fastenerflange and has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of theaperture on the fastener flange so that when the bolt is positioned offthe first edge of the hole toward or against the second edge of the holethe washer is rotatable to move the fastener on the second panel and toalign the central opening of the first receptacle with the aperture ofthe first panel.
 30. A fastener for holding together first and secondpanels in spaced relation, wherein each panel has an aperture forreceiving the fastener, a first side of each panel in facing each other,and a second side facing away from the other side of said panels,comprising: a grommet having an opening and a radially outward extendingflange for engaging the second side of said first panel; a stud havingopposite ends, a head at one of said ends, and a cross pin adjacent tothe other of said ends, said stud being received in the opening of thegrommet a first receptacle mounted to the first side of the second paneland having a central opening facing the first side of the first paneland aligned with the aperture of the first panel; a collar mount fixedwithin the first receptacle for receiving and for mounting therein asecond receptacle having a central opening concentrically aligned withthe opening of the first receptacle and the second receptacle having camand locking surfaces for engaging the cross pins of a stud having beeninserted through the grommet; wherein the first receptacle is mounted toa flange that includes two or more apertures that aligned with apertureson the panel and bolts are inserted through the apertures on the flangeand panel and secured with a nut, the fastener further comprising: awasher having a first disc and a second disc wherein the first disc hasa diameter that is larger than a diameter of the second disc, and thefirst and second disc are concentrically aligned, and a hole extendsthrough the first disc and second disc through which the bolt isinserted; wherein the hole in the washer has a first curved edge that isconcentrically aligned with the first and second discs and a secondcurved edge is not concentrically aligned and disposed toward aperiphery of the first and second discs; and, wherein the second disc isseated in the aperture on the fastener flange and has a diameter that issmaller than the diameter of the aperture on the fastener flange so thatwhen the bolt is positioned off the first edge of the hole toward oragainst the second edge of the hole the washer is rotatable to move thefastener on the second panel and to align the central opening of thefirst receptacle with the aperture of the first panel.